HSS 4107 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Moral Relativism, Cultural Relativism, James Rachels
10 Oct 2018
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Document Summary
Relativism: examples of cultures that differ in terms of values. Callatians vs. western cultures and the difference in the way they dispose of their dead. What might be sacred for one group may be considered unethical by others. In relativist cultures, individuals are culture-bound and believe in their certain norms depending on where they are born and raised. Values and norms will be different across cultures and boundaries. Multiculturalism is the act of integrating into a different society: hurricane katrine and its effects on battle eld euthanasia/forced abandonment. Euthanasia is illegal, however these medical professionals were forced into a different context. In a medical catastrophe, individuals need to practice forced abandonment. Battle eld euthanasia can be justi ed before one"s departure because the circumstances are so severe. When individuals are forced into situations, context changes, and individuals have to shift their morality because they have no choice: epistemic relativism.
